Nikola Kaminski (Southwestern Women's Amateur Photo)
Nicola Kaminski of Los Gatos, Calif., surged into the lead during the second round of the 109th Southwestern Amateur at Desert Mountain’s Outlaw Golf Course in Scottsdale, Ariz. She has a two-day total of 8-under and followed her opening 3-under 69 with a stellar 5-under 67, featuring six birdies and just one bogey.
“I feel good about my game. I was pretty comfortable. My patience was tested at the beginning because I couldn’t get putts to drop, but I just had to stay patient and trust that God had a plan for my round,” said Kaminski, who attends San Jose State.
Madelyn Gamble from Pleasant Hill, California, sits one stroke back in second place after a roller-coaster round of 69, which included seven birdies and four bogeys. “I wanted to be committed and decisive while I was playing.
I wanted to keep it simple because that’s something I’ve worked on throughout the college season and in the summer as well,” Gamble shared. Gamble is a golfer at Washington State.
Taiwan’s Yu-Chu Chen and Lauren Gomez from Murrieta, California, are tied for third at 6-under, two strokes behind Kaminski. Gomez plays golf for Pepperdine. McKenzi Hall from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Molly Smith from Westford, Massachusetts, are both three strokes off the lead at 5-under.
Hall, a UNLV golfer, posted a strong 67 today, positioning herself well for the final two days. “
I told myself to stay patient. Yesterday, some of my shots weren’t falling, and it was frustrating. I told myself the shots would fall, and then I started to make putts,” Hall commented.
Smith, who attends UCF, noted, “I feel that overall, I am hitting it pretty well, and I am managing my game pretty well around this course.”
Ashley Menne, an ASU graduate and Surprise, Arizona native, shot the low round of the day with a 6-under 66, putting herself back in contention. “It feels great to be back at the tournament. I always enjoy playing the Southwestern. I love supporting Arizona golf, and it’s a great course,” Menne said.
A total of 40 women made the cut at 3-over or better.
Recap courtesy of Southwestern Women's Amateur
ABOUT THE Southwestern Women's Amateur
72-hole stroke play championship for national-
level
female amateurs with a handicap index of 3.2
or
better. After 36
holes, the field will be
cut to the low 36 and ties. The
SWGA Selection
Committee will select players to compete based
upon
exemptions, playing resume and rankings.
The SWGA reserves the right to invite
amateurs of national and international
reputation, as well as other amateurs "of
note", to enter into the tournament.
Applicants are urged to submit their entries
with golf resumes of accomplishment in
major tournaments and other competitive
record
information.
View Complete Tournament Information